The potential for red mud re-use and/or recovery applications are extensive, with challenges such as high alkalinity, heavy metals, and colossal quantities at the forefront. Common re-use and recovery undertakings can be seen below.
Material Recovery. Red mud is a waste abundant in resources; it contains various materials that could be useful if recovered. Materials often targeted for recovery from red mud include iron, titanium, rare earths, and aluminum.
Wastewater Treatment. While research continues, red mud has potential for use as an adsorbent. Specifically in wastewater treatment settings, red mud shows promise in the ability to capture a variety of pollutants and materials such as bacteria and heavy metals. With some treatment, red mud-based adsorbents could offer a low-cost option for water and wastewater treatment applications, without contributing toxic risks to the environment.
Building/Construction Materials. Red mud has also been studied for use in building and construction materials, including cement, bricks, and glass.
For in depth information on this topic, read our blog post: R&D Around Driving Value From Red Mud Increases.